This Is How A Heart Breaks [Ros]

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

Russel finished his third drink and hailed the bartender for another, this time ordering something a little more to his taste. He knew some people thought the type of stuff he liked to drink was girly, but honestly right now he didn't give a fuck what anybody else thought. He almost said so to the bartender, but then thought better of it. There was no reason for that. Nope, he wasn't drunk yet. He hoped he would be soon, though. Then maybe all the anger and despair would dissipate and he could forget about that whole afternoon...

It was a Saturday, and Russel had been reading and generally lazing about his apartment all day. Around five o'clock, he had been trying to decide whether he should go out and get some dinner or not when there was a knock at the door. Surprise, surprise! It had been his ex, Jessica, whom he hadn't seen for five months now, holding a Starbucks latte and a couple of Subway sandwiches. Oh, he knew the food was a bribe. Knew it all too well. And for a single moment, he thought that maybe they could smooth things over after all, that maybe he would be able to forgive her.

As soon as he had let her in, however, that moment passed. It was a mistake. The trust was broken. There could be no more relationship. He had told himself that so many times, how could he have forgotten it? He sat on the couch, drinking the coffee and listening to her try to persuade him to take her back, growing increasingly annoyed. And then, when he didn't respond the way she wanted, the argument started. The same old argument, that he hadn't payed enough attention to her when he'd lost his job, that he'd closed up inside of himself and never let her in, that he, in fact, had driven her to cheat on him. Even now, that accusation still stung him, because it held a glimmer of truth. He had withdrawn when he'd lost his job, but he hadn't known what else to do. He countered that she should have been more supportive, and she argued that she had tried at first, but after a while it was exhausting trying to get through to someone who never responded. And then he just snapped, knocking his coffee cup over and shouting about how he had found out from their friend who owned the cafe where he played guitar to earn some slight income, how humiliating it had been to know that someone else knew before him. This had all been said before, but somehow this time she seemed to accept it. So she had left, saying she would not come back, and she hoped he had a good life.

Oh, spiteful, the way she had said those otherwise innocent words, as if everything was his own fault. He spent the next two hours angrily trying to clean the coffee stain out of his carpet. He was angry at everything: Jessica, himself, his mother for saying they could work it out, the carpet for not coming clean, the sandwiches for still being there and tempting him even though they were from Jessica, the lady next door for calling her cats to dinner loudly enough that he could hear, the tears that kept spilling from his eyes even as he wiped them furiously away. Finally he had realized the stain was not coming out; he just didn't have the cleaning supplies to get it out. Water and soap wasn't cutting it. In exasperation, he decided he needed a drink. So he had pulled on his shoes, grabbed his coat, and gone down to the local pub.

And that's where he was, now well into his drinks and quite drunk. Without realizing it, he had relayed most of this information to the bartender, who was now looking at him with a mixture of concern and pity, though Russel didn't notice. It was rather late, and the bartender asked him if he had someone he could call, insinuating that he had had too much and needed to go home, but Russel thought he just meant he should bring a friend. So he flipped open his phone and called the first person that came to mind: Ros.

"Hey, Ros, hey, heeey, it's Russel!" he said a little too loudly into the phone. "You should come down here to the pub, the one on uh, uh, Kingston Street, that's it. We can have fun times!" Without waiting for her to respond to that, he hung up and grinned at the bartender, who shook his head and passed the clearly inebriated teacher a bowl of pretzels.

[ROSLYN BARKER]

Saturday night...the apartment was quiet..then again it was always fairly quiet when one didn't own a TV. There was very little in the spartan room that Ros sat in as she flipped through her book. She sat in the only piece of furniture in her living room, an old worn down greet paisley winged chair, the overstuffed cushions consuming her as she was all tucked into it, next to it was a milk crate turned over to make a table for herself, an empty plate and mug sitting there. Usually on nights like these she would use what little she had saved up from the necessary purchases to go to a movie. However the rather big purchase of a car the last week had taken up a majority of her savings after everything was said and done. So the next few weekends she'd probably end up spending them re-reading Verne, Chopin, and Tolkien. It was nice to have a night in though...

The lasagna she'd made sat heavy in her stomach, warm and content she was curled up in her Hello Kitty pjs, the comforter from her bed wrapped around tightly around her legs as the short provided little warmth. Slowly she was beginning to build her life back up. It wasn't all brand names and high quality, but a cage was still a cage gilded or not. It was getting late though as she looked up at the clock on the wall. Very late actually as she marked her page setting the book aside as she went to go clean up her mess. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get to bed soon...usually she'd tried to go into the school on Sunday, do a little extra work, maybe swim a little bit. It would be nice to take her car out a bit more and drive around the city since as winter came closer it became harder and harder to bear the long walks.

Over the sound of the running tap she heard what sounded like soft chimes. Turning off the phone she wiped her hands on her shorts before going back to the chair. Searching through the messy nest of blankets she found the chiming phone. Without even looking at the number she flipped it open. Few people had her number, so really she wasn't one to just let it go to voicemail.

"Hel--" Before she could even finish talking she was holding her phone as far from her head as she could without not being able to hear the voice on the other line.

"Hey, Ros, hey, heeey, it's Russel!....You should come down here to the pub, the one on uh, uh, Kingston Street, that's it. We can have fun times!"

She stared at her phone, bringing it back to her ear to reply only to find it dead now. Russel had sounded drunk, and this late going to a pub...they'd be closing now wouldn't they? "Goodness..." She murmured before getting up and tucking her phone away in her pocket before she went to hunt down her shoes and jacket. He'd need a ride probably, maybe why he'd been calling in the first place. She put away the dinner she'd cooked and threw on her jacket, turning off the lights as she left her tiny apartment. Locking the door behind her she wandered out to the tiny lot behind the old brick building.

~~~~~~

Finding a spot to park was easy enough as she walked quickly from her spot right to the pub door. She stopped as she saw Russel at the bar, smiling at the bartender for a moment before she went over to him. It had been a while since she'd seen him in anything but passing. After the ghost tour she really hadn't wanted to talk to him out of her own embarrassment, but she remembered seeing him at the dance a little before she'd left to get out and get some air.

Talk of the punch being spiked had spread quickly as she realized that it was probably one reason she'd fallen asleep in her costume. She wasn't use to drinking a lot so it explained some things. Though it had been funny in the morning trying to find all the skittles tangled up in her curls she really hadn't felt all that great the past week since. Still didn't feel all that together, kept forgetting things...even more clumsy than usual. However it seemed that everyone was a little off since that night.

"Russel?" She tapped him on the shoulder before putting her hands back into her jacket pocket, the long article nearly swallowing her right up as she looked at him from under messy bangs, "Are you okay?" She asked softly, taking a seat as she asked for a water (really all she could afford).

New Car!

PJs

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

The bartender refused to give Russel any more alcohol, which was just as well since he was three sheets to the wind. And anyway, he was preoccupied with eating the pretzels that the man had set in front of him. He wasn't really thinking about much at the moment except the prospect of Ros coming to join him. He nearly bounced excitedly in his seat as he munched on his little snack. Then he turned it into a game, tossing each pretzel up in the air slightly to see if he could catch them in his mouth. He was in the middle of that when he felt someone tap his shoulder and turned around, almost falling off his bar stool.

"Ros!" he exclaimed happily. "What? Yeah, I'm fine, of course! Want a pretzel? Want a drink?" He was so happy to see her he was grinning from ear to ear. He didn't even remember the reason he'd come to the pub in the first place, but hey, he was having fun now. And wow, Ros looked cute. She was wearing shorts. He hadn't seen her bare legs before. Had he seen her legs before? It seemed like he had, but he couldn't remember. Well, she had nice legs. He snickered to himself before re-seating himself on the stool.

The bartender brought the glass of water and gave Ros a sort of sad smile. "He was talking about his ex earlier," he said to her quietly while Russel was busy with the pretzels again. "Apparently they had some sort of fight. I don't know the whole situation but it sounded pretty rough. You should probably take him on home."

[ROSLYN BARKER]

Russel was acting rather silly as she got closer. More relaxed, but it didn't seem natural, more like induced as she watched him at his pretzel games. At his offer of a drink she shook her head. "I'll be fine with just water."

As the bartender leaned in with her drink she smiled softly and gave a small nod. So that was why he was here? She never thought he was someone to get so upset to do something like this, but then again she was still getting to know Russel. She wasn't sure how he did deal with pain. She'd figured he probably would have had a girlfriend or something...an ex though...seeing her and being like this.

He must of really cared for her, she thought as she leaned in closer placing a hand on his shoulder. "Russel...why don't I take you home tonight? We can hang out. Maybe get some coffee?"


The hand on his shoulder made him look up, leaving the pretzels for a moment. He almost started to make a pouty face when she mentioned going home, but the idea of hanging out, and coffee, perked him right up. "Sure!" he said rather loudly, getting off his stool and swaying slightly, unsteady on his feet. "Whoa, the room moved..." He looked at Ros again, and half-grinned. "Hey Ros, guess what? I think I'm drunk."


The bartender looked relieved when Russel seemed ready to go so quickly. She smiled at him, reaching out to steady him as she watched him wobble. "Drunk? Really? I couldn't tell." She teased gently as she offered her shoulder, "Shall we go?" She started towards the door of the bar, waving the bartender before fishing out her keys. If things continued this smoothly then she really wasn't too worried...except....

A little voice in the back of her head made made her wonder just what had happened that had made him so eager to do this to himself?


"Daha! Sarcasm!" he said with a laugh, then waved at the bartender, who waved back. He followed close behind Ros, taking rather deliberate-looking steps as drunk people do, and managing not to trip on anything as they went out to her car.


Once out to her car Ros really wished Russel wasn't drunk. She wanted to show it off that she'd afforded something so lavish like this. Her pride and joy now, but maybe in the morning she'd show it off....though by then they'd be at their own places...

With a sigh she crawled into the front seat before reaching over to unlock the passenger door, the lock sticking just a bit before she gave it a good whack and heard it pop open. Sitting back in her seat she waited for Russel to get in before she started up the car. From the radio speakers crackled as they played a soft tune, a singers voice barely audible as Ros turned it lower. "Where do you live?"


Russel actually giggled when he saw Ros's car. "Your car... it's so cute! It's like it was made for you," he said, going around and getting in the passenger's side. He sat down and was in the process of trying to pull out his seatbelt when she asked where he lived. "Oh, it's not--" He paused, tugging on it, but it got stuck. "Not too--" Tug, stick. "--too far." He frowned. Tug, stick. "Just the next street over." Tug, stick. "Gosh darn this thing!"


Ros was thankful for the darkness as Russel called her car and her cute. She fiddled a little bit more with the volume, turning it up for a moment before turning it back down again as she waited for directions. However none came as she listened to him try to get it out as well as the safety belt. Her own had smoothly crossed over her lap and chest and she just started at him in amusement before sighing.

"Here..." releasing the catch of her own she leaned over Russel's seat as she grabbed the strap before letting it go slack before carefully pulling it in one smooth motion to click in it's spot. "It's a tricky little thing." She said looking up at him before realizing how close she was pulling back quickly as she fixed her own seatbelt and started to get the car out of its spot.


He leaned back and let Ros work the seatbelt. She had much better luck with it than he had. He chuckled at the fact that it had been so hard for him when she made it look so simple. "Thanks." Looking out the window as Ros started backing out of the parking spot, he realized he hadn't really told her how to get to his place. "It's just, you go down to the light, turn right, and it's on the..." He had to pause a moment to picture it in his head, drunk as he was. "On the right, yeah. It's a big apartment building, can't miss it."

"Hey, can I put my seat back a little?" he asked, even as he was reaching under the seat to find the button. "My legs are--WHOA!" He was suddenly thrown flat as the seat lay back. He stared up at the ceiling with a surprised look on his face. "That was scary. I almost peed myself," he said quietly, then laughed. "Wrong button!" He pressed it again and the seat came back up. "Never mind, I can sit like this."


Getting the car moving was fine, the little beast roaring softly to life as she pushed on the gas and pulled out onto the street. She did her best to follow the directions, making it to the light just as it turned to red.

Coming to a stop she gave a small nod, "Yeah, go ahead and reach under the part in front--" There were a few little tricks to the car, like which one would push the seat back and which one would lean it further back. The sudden cry out told her which one he'd pulled as she looked over at him laying on the car seat before going back up. She looked forward at the light, trying hard not to laugh at the sight of him. "Maybe that is best...we're almost there I'm sure..." She said as she turned right and headed a little bit further down the road another block or so before finding the complex he was talking about. Pulling into a spot she parked and turned off her car, getting out she went around to Russel's side to help him in case he needed it. "Which one are you in?"

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

He nodded and watched the lights from the buildings go by as they went down the street. When Ros parked the car and turned it off, he automatically opened his door and got out, but he misjudged the height of the car and accidentally whacked the top of his head. "Owowow!" He put a hand to his head as he stood up fully, eyes shut tight for a moment until the pain subsided.

"I'm in uh... well, it's up there," he said, opening his eyes again and pointing to the second floor. With the way the apartment was built, the stairs were outside. He started for them in his careful drunken gait, chuckling at himself. "I am sooo drunk right now, Ros, it's not even funny."


It seemed like her car was going to be a dangerous thing for Russel to deal with as she heard the crack of skull meeting the metal doorway. "Oh god! Are you okay?" She asked moving to touch his head before he started towards the stair.

Following him she sighed as she walked with him up the stairs keeping a careful eye on him to make sure nothing else happened. "You are very drunk. Lets get you something to drink and then bed time...okay?" She smiled softly as she moved up the stairs a little faster her hands pressed to his back as she led him up a little more towards the entrance.


"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay." He waved her off. It was true; he hardly even felt it now, though he might in the morning. He went on up the stairs with Ros behind him, putting one foot in front of the other. It seemed he was doing all right with this. "Aw, bed time? That's no fun. I thought we were gonna hang out," he whined, but he kept going.

At the top of the steps, he took out his key and fumbled around at lock, trying to fit it in. Was it just him, or was the keyhole moving? "I got this, I got this," he murmured, sticking out his tongue in concentration. He didn't want Ros to do everything for him. The least he could do was unlock his own door. And finally he did, throwing open the door triumphantly and grinning. "Ta-daa!"


Ros kept her hands on his back as she made sure as best she could to keep him steady. Even though he didn't seem too terribly drunk, at least not in the dangerous way she was curious if she should really leave him alone for the night as they got to his door. "We will hang out...you should sleep sooner or later though. Sleep is good."

Standing behind him now at the door she waited for him to get the lock. Once he did she smiled and patted him gently walking in behind him. She had to admit compared to her own it was very nice as she looked around. A little bit ahead she saw the untouched food and stain on the carpet, it looked like something had made him leave quickly.

"Russel? Is everything okay?" She asked leading him to his couch to sit down while she went to the kitchen to make coffee and get him something to drink while it brewed.


Ros was so nice for bringing him home like this, he thought. He went in and pulled his jacket off, threw it at the coat rack (it missed), and flopped down on the couch with a contented sigh. He gave her a questioning look when she asked if he was all right. "What?" Then, coincidentally, he noticed the Subway sandwiches, still unwrapped on his coffee table, and it all came back to him. He remembered now why he'd gone out to the pub in the first place. Groaning, he put his arms up over his face. "Goddammit, the stupid--Jessica is such a--argh!"


It took a few minutes to find everything she needed to make coffee at Russel's. Her own kitchen was something that was nothing like the rest of her place, it was normal like this one. She loved it so much and so she was happy to do something in the kitchen, create and make something. Once the coffee was brewing she was quick to get a glass of water before coming back to the couch with it.

"Who is Jessica? What happened?" She asked, holding out the water to him as she sat down on the couch. Was this the ex he'd been telling the bartender about? "I'm here for you if you want to talk."


Ah, had he said that out loud? Apparently. He raised one arm so he could see Ros. She was holding a glass of water out to him, but he just shook his head and put his arm over his face again. If he'd been sober he might have considered not telling her about Jessica even now, but as it was he just said whatever came to mind. "She's my ex, my stupid stupid ex. She came to try to get back with me. Stupid sandwiches! Stupid coffee! She cheated on me, did you know that? And she comes here all 'Oh Russel, we can work it out,' but you know what? She just went right back to blaming me. Dammit, why did I even let her in?"



x basic layout of Russel's apartment x

[ROSLYN BARKER]

His refusal of the glass made her sigh as she set it down on the coffee table and just sat there with him. She listened to him talk giving a small sigh as he rambled a little. Having never had a ex she wasn't the keenest on knowing what really went along with that, but cheating she knew all to well about. Once he'd finished she let the silence creep in before she leaned across the couch and wrapped her arms around him gently hugging him.

"I'm sorry Russel." She murmured just holding him. It had to be rough, had to hurt, but there was nothing else to say, nothing to compare it to as she stroked his back gently.


He felt like he was about to throw a tantrum like a little kid or something, at least until he felt Ros's arms around him, pulling him into a hug. He stiffened for a moment, wanting to rage against the injustice of it all, but then he just put his arms down and hugged her back. "I had to find out from a friend of ours. And then she said it was my fault, 'cause I wasn't paying attention to her after I lost my job." He buried his face in her shoulder. He was supposed to be angry, wasn't he? But he couldn't keep up the anger anymore. "I was with her for three years, Ros. I was gonna marry her. Well, maybe. Probably. God, I don't even know anymore." Shit, he was going to cry, he could feel the tears stinging his eyes. "I don't care about her anymore, Ros. She only ever makes me mad! Is that--does that make me a bad person? I just let her in because... because I wanted... I wanted somebody..." He didn't even know what he was saying now as his tears bled into Ros's shirt and he clutched at her desperately. Shit, shit, he was not supposed to cry.


She just kept holding him as she listened to him talk. She could feel his embrace, how warm he was, and it just felt so familiar. Shaking that thought from her head though it wasn't time to put herself first as she ran her hand down along his back.

"I think you're a very good person. I think she took the easy way out running away to someone else." Ros felt tears in her own eyes as she could feel Russel against her. God she knew the feeling, of being accused of not giving enough, of being abandoned and then treated like it was their own fault. She clung tighter to him. "I'm sorry Russel."

Pulling back slowly she smiled at him, once more the bright happy smile she always tried to have as she brushed his hair back and wiped at his face, "We all want someone to love, it's natural, you cared for her, felt something...or else you wouldn't be so torn up. Never think you're a bad person for wanting that."


It was so comforting to just be hugged like this. She was so sweet to do all this for him, a true friend. He'd missed having this. It seemed like his whole life had fallen apart after he'd lost his job and then broken up with Jessica, but bit by bit it was getting better. He sighed into Ros's shoulder, reassured by her words. She was right, of course. And the smile she gave him when she pulled back was infectious. "Ros, you're such a good friend. You're like the best friend in the world, the whole wide world." He felt a little dehydrated now from the alcohol and the crying, so he took the glass of water from the table and downed the whole thing. Then he laughed. "Ah, sorry, I was thirsty."


Friend. The word resonated with Ros as she smiled at Russel letting him get his water as she realized that by now the coffee should have been done. "You want some coffee now? Maybe something to eat?" She asked, still staying close to him for the moment.

"I'm glad I can be your friend Russel. You've been so good to me I want to be here for you." Finally she unzipped her own jacket shedding it on the couch before she got up to go to the kitchen for coffee, kicking off her shoes by the couch. She figured she'd be staying a while, best to get comfortable as she began to search his shelves. "Where are your mugs?"


"Coffee?" he repeated, now realizing that yes, it did smell like there was coffee brewing. When had that happened? "Sure. I'm not hungry, though." He eyed the sandwiches still on the table. He wanted to throw them out. It was like they were tainted.

He grinned at Ros's words. "Aww you! What are you, a Powerpuff Girl? Made of sugar and spice and everything nice?" he teased, then laughed at his own joke. The Hello Kitty outfit she was wearing under her jacket just emphasized that idea. At her question of where his mugs were, he had to think for a moment. "Uh... cabinet next to the fridge?" He sat up and stretched, wondering what they would do while they 'hung out' tonight. Then an idea struck him and he jumped up, wobbling a little but not falling. "You know what we should do? We should watch Spongebob!"


"Have you eaten anything at all Russel?" she asked gently padding around the kitchen slowly. Maybe if she just stood there long enough she'd find the cups, but Russel's reply caught her attention first as she went to the fridge. Sure enough there were the mugs.

"I don't have to be made out of all those things to simply be a friend. I just am trying to do what should be done." She replied as she hopped up onto the counter to reach the cups better as she pulled down two. Holding them close to her chest she padded to the coffee maker. It was Russel's sudden idea that nearly made her klutziness show through. He'd startled her as she looked up trying to save what coffee she could from the sudden spill. "Spongebob? If it's on, sure...maybe that will help, get your mind focused on other things, or cheer you up."

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

He tried to think back to what he'd eaten that day but couldn't remember. "I dunno... I had pretzels," he said with a shrug. He glanced over at the kitchen and saw Ros up on his counter getting the mugs. Chuckling at that, he went to his room to get his Spongebob DVDs from on top of his dresser. Which one, which one? As he was trying to decide, he heard Ros from the other room. "Nah, it doesn't have to be on; I've got six seasons on DVD!" he called from his room. Finally, unable to decide, he just grabbed all six boxes and took them to the living room, dumping them on the floor next to the tv. Then he sat down there and shuffled through them, still trying to figure out which one they should watch. "I love Spongebob. It always makes me feel better..."


Filling the two mugs up Ros got herself some sugar and milk from the fridge. No doubt Russel could take his black, it might even help him she figured, however she couldn't stand the bitter taste and even after four spoonfuls she still added one more after she'd poured the milk. Sipping it she smiled at the sugary creamy flavor as she started back into the living room.

When she'd had a TV or managed to catch what she could she liked the simple shows and cartoons because they let her escape in a way different from her books. Reality TV was just garish, but something like Spongebob made her smile, something that just entertained without causing drama or dredging up horrible human habits like betrayal. That was not what Russel needed, so she was happy to see him on the floor just flipping through what he had before she set their drinks down. "Maybe it would be best to just start at the beginning?" Leaning over him she let her fingers touch his hair, just stroking it as she smiled down at him. "I'm fine with whatever."


"At the beginning? But it--" he paused as she stroked his hair, forgetting what he was going to say as he just leaned into her touch. "Okay." He opened the first season box and popped out the disc, putting it (a little clumsily) into the DVD player and turning on the tv. When the menu came up, he pressed 'play all.' The first episode was about Spongebob trying to get a job at the Krusty Krab. He looked up at Ros and patted the carpet next to him in invitation.


His hair was so soft...wait? Had she done this before as she ran her fingers through it once more before pulling away. He leaned into it and she smiled. This was nice, she just wished he hadn't of been drunk at the time as the DVD began to play. Moving to his other side she sat down on the carpet sipping her coffee. "You know Russel...if you ever need anyone around I'm always here." She replied, smiling before going back to the show.


He hummed along with the theme song as it played, then turned and smiled at Ros when she spoke. "We really should hang out more often, shouldn't we?" He nudged her playfully with his elbow and turned back to the show. It wasn't long before he was laughing at the antics on the screen. Gosh, was Spongebob always this funny? He couldn't remember laughing so hard at it before.


With a small sigh she nodded gently, "Yeah, I would like to hang out more with you to Russel." She leaned against him with a small sigh as her gaze focused on the bright flashy pictures buzzing across the screen.

After about several episodes Ros had finished her coffee, the empty mug sitting on the coffee table. She was laughing softly at the antics on screen, stretched out on the floor resting against Russel a bit.


So much laughing! He didn't remember Spongebob being half as funny as it was tonight. He nearly got a stitch in his side from laughing so much. But then after a few episodes and most of the coffee in his mug (he'd made a face at the bitter taste at first, but then he stopped noticing), he'd started to get a little sleepy, oddly enough. Then a few more episodes went by and he actually started nodding off, his head lolling to rest on Ros's shoulder.


All of his laughter had only served to make her own grow. Somehow it was always nice to just laugh with someone else, it seemed more comforting. His weight against her own propped them up enough that there was no struggle of who would relax while the other held them up.

"Russel?" she murmured listening to his breathing a bit as the final episode on the dvd finished up. Turning a bit she looked at him resting there smiling as she reached out to touch his cheek, "Russel? Do you want to go get some sleep?"


"Hm?" It was an automatic response; he shifted slightly, not opening his eyes. But when Ros touched his cheek, he started awake and sat up. "What? Oh, did I fall asleep?" He yawned and rubbed one eye, then blanched suddenly. "I don't feel so good." It took him a moment to realize what the queasy feeling in his stomach meant, but when he did, he bolted upright, making his way clumsily but quickly down the little hall to the bathroom. He got there just in time to start puking his guts out in the toilet.


Holding back a giggle she nodded, "You were out cold for a bit there." He was warm against her, and really with him there and listening to him breathing it made her want to sleep as well. At this point she doubted that anymore coffee, sugar or not, would keep her up to drive home.

Suddenly she felt Russel moving beside her as she sat up a bit. "Russel?" She slowly got up watching him stumble to the bathroom. Realizing what was happening she followed him moving to grab a glass beside the sink to fill it with water as she knelt down running his back with a heavy sigh. "You really did drink too much...this will kill you in the morning."


This wasn't the normal stomach bug puking, this was the brutal practically projectile-vomiting of someone who'd had far too much to drink. The last time he'd done this had been in college, and he'd sworn then that he would never do it again, but, well, it was so long ago he'd forgotten about it. He couldn't even answer Ros as she knelt down next to him. It was a good few minutes before his stomach was satisfied that it had pretty much emptied itself, and then he sat there, head against the toilet bowl, not quite trusting that it was over yet. "Oh god I'm an idiot," he groaned. "Why did I think alcohol would fix anything?"

[ROSLYN BARKER]

At the Halloween trip Ros had fainted at the gory sight of blood, however she'd lived long enough in student dorms to know how to handle this part. Still it made her own stomach flip a little as she just kept rubbing his back holding the water for him when he would need it.

"Why? Probably because you're an idiot like you said." She joked softly as she urged him to take the water now, "Drink, it will help with the taste."


Her rubbing his back was extremely comforting, and he sighed finally when he realized he wouldn't be throwing up anymore. He chuckled dryly at her little joke and turned his head to the side, still resting against the toilet, to look up at her. A glass of water met his gaze. He wrinkled his nose slightly at the idea of putting anything in his stomach right now, but he took the glass and sat up slowly, then took a few sips. Ros was right; it did help. He took a deep breath and sighed it out, giving her a weak smile. "What would I do without you, Ros?"


Ros continued to rub his back as he finally took the water and drank it. She waited with him, making sure that the alcohol wasn't going to come back for a second visit any time soon before she stood up. Going to the sink she grabbed up a wash cloth, getting it soaked with nice cold water before she came back and patted his face gently with it. "I think you'd be throwing up in a taxi...no offense." She smiled gently stroking his hair once more. "Let's get you to bed, how about that?"


Russel sighed again as Ros put the cold washcloth on his face. He had been just about ready to get up and do that himself, actually. Again Ros made a joke, and again he laughed a little, a bit more sincerely this time as he was starting to feel better. Now that the stuff was out of him, he felt rather relieved. He nodded and smiled when she suggested going to bed, then stood up cautiously. "Yeah, good idea."


Once it seemed he was ready for bed Ros stood up and held out her hand for him to take to help him up. When he was to his feet she quietly and gently led him down the hall looking for his room until she found it. Going in she let go of his hand as she pulled back his covers before looking around. "Do you need to change or anything? Where are you pajamas?" She asked softly, "Think you can do that on your own?"


He took her hand and followed her to his room like a sleepy child, then sat on his bed when she pulled the covers down for him, pulling off his shoes without untying the laces and just dropping them to the floor. "Pajamas?" Was it the alcohol or tiredness that was affecting his brain now? "Yeah, I can do that." He went to the dresser and pulled open a drawer, taking out his Shakespeare insults t-shirt and pajama pants. Without further ado, he sat on the edge of his bed and started changing, completely forgetting that Ros was even in the room.


While Russel went to work on his shoes Ros went to the closet looking for something along the lines of extra blankets or pillows. She'd sleep on the couch tonight she figured. Wake up, make some breakfast and be there for when his hangover hit. It was nice to have a friend around for that at least. Finding a sheet and a pillow she pulled them down as she started to turn around, "I'm going to go make up the cou-" Her words cut off as she looked up at Russel and saw him changing, eyes going wide as she scrambled back nearly falling back into the closet.

"Ah...okay, you can change by yourself...good..." She murmured turning around as a blush burned her cheeks, "Tell me when you're done, okay?"


He wasn't really paying attention to what Ros was doing, as the button and zipper on his pants was more difficult to navigate drunk. But he'd managed to get them off and pull his pajama pants on, and had just taken off his sweater when Ros turned around. He was a little puzzled by her reaction, but he didn't think too much of it. "I'm almost done now," he said, pulling his shirt on over his head. Then he cocked his head at her and gave her a quizzical look. "Why've you got blankets and stuff?"


She really hadn't seen Russel with so little on before. Every time she had seen him he was always layered with his jackets and sweaters, so now seeing him without his shirt she found her cheeks feeling much too warm. However she was thankful that the heat died quickly enough before he said he was done. Turning back she looked down at the things she held in her hands. "Well...I was going to go make up the couch to sleep on. Tomorrow I can make waffles or something since there is no school." She smiled, holding up the pillow and blanket as if the idea of sleeping needed the visual aids for the drunk English teacher. "I mean...if that's alright with you. I'd like to stay."


"No, of course, that's all right, but you can't sleep on the couch. It's awful. You'll wake up all stiff and sore!" he insisted. He scooted backwards over to one side of the bed and patted the side nearest Ros. "You can sleep here. There's plenty of room." His bed was queen-sized, after all, since he tended to sprawl out during sleep. Of course, if he'd been sober he would have never suggested such a thing, but with the state he was in, he still wasn't thinking straight.


"Russel there is nowhere else to sleep but the floor...and I won't have you..." She trailed off as he patted the bed, and once more she felt her cheeks heat up. "Are you sure Russel?" She asked, fidgeting as she hugged the sheet and pillow tighter to her body.

"We really shouldn't...." She started to argue, not sure what to say. They were friends so it had to be alright...right?

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

He attempted to pout but the expression was interrupted by a yawn. "Aww, why not? It'll be like a sleepover. We can stay up talking about stuff all night," he said with a grin. He scooted closer and took the pillow from her, putting it on 'her' side of the bed, then went back to 'his' side and slid under the covers. "Come on, it'll be fuuuun!"


It couldn't hurt...it was just like a sleepover. Except, she'd never really had too many of those, and not with boys. She didn't fight as he took her pillow from her. "I doubt you'll do much talking...you're exhausted it seems." She argued teasingly as she slowly sat on the offered side he gave her, pulling up the covers.

She'd stay for a bit, no harm in that, let him fall asleep and then go out to the couch. No harm, no foul. Laying down she smiled at him, "There now...happy?"


"Sure I will; I talk a lot," he said, then fought off a yawn. Maybe she was right, but that wasn't going to stop him. He lay down and turned onto his side so he was facing her, and grinned. "Yep, happy. Now, what should we talk about? How about... Hello Kitty? Do you really like that stuff or did you just get the pajamas because they were cute?"


She was surprised that Russel was being so stubborn to stay awake. With a gentle sigh she shook her head. "You are an odd man." She murmured as he started asking about her pajamas, "I liked the show as a kid, and they were cute, so a little of both."

Reaching out she touched his cheek, "Russel, get some rest, we can talk in the morning." A yawn spilled from her own lips as she could feel her eyelids getting a little heavier. "I'll make pancakes...or waffles..."


He just chuckled when she called him odd. He felt like a little kid, tired but not wanting to go to sleep, for whatever silly reason had gotten into his head. "There was a show? I didn't know that." He frowned a little when she insisted he sleep, but then her yawn made him yawn and he couldn't help but laugh a little, knowing she was right. Even as she mentioned food, he could feel himself being pulled under by sleep. "Mmm," he said, snuggling into his pillow and closing his eyes. Just for a moment, until he thought of something else to talk about. Just for a moment...


"Russel?" Ros murmured, her head resting against the pillow as she closed her own eyes seeing him looking like he was asleep now. She should get to the couch now, but the bed was warm, as was the body next to her's, and...and...

**********

The morning sun slipped in through the cracks of the curtains. Bothersome slivers of light really as Ros gave a small groan trying to escape the one that fell across her face as she nuzzled in closer to Russel's chest, her legs tangled with his as one arm was wrapped haphazardly around his torso. So warm and soft, the rhythm of his heart lulling her back to her light slumber.


Russel woke up slowly, first becoming aware that his head was pounding very unpleasantly, and that the light coming in through the window was not helping at all. He was on his back in his bed, all sprawled out, the blanket only covering one leg, as usual. But there was something different, something warm... an arm and a leg and a head... Somebody was on him.

"What...?" He peeked open one eye, shielding his face from the window's light with his hand, and looked down at the sleeping form curled around him. Yes, definitely a person. He could not for the life of him remember anything that had happened the night before. The last that he remembered was drinking himself silly and talking to the bartender and calling someone, someone... His eyes widened as the realization hit him. "R-Ros?"


A small groan rose from her lips as Ros patted the chest she rested her head on, "Mmmm...another minute...it's a weekend." She muttered before she realized that she lived alone, no father or half brother to wake her up, and certainly no one in her bed.

If her bed was this soft and big...which it wasn't.

"Wha-" She shot up bolt right in the bed, her hair messy as she looked at Russel with blurry eyes, "Russel?" Quickly she pulled the sheets up over her, even if she was wearing pjs it was still embarrassing.

"Oh god, I'm sorry...I meant to go to the couch once you fell asleep. I'm sorry...."


Ros was in his bed. Ros. Was. In. His. Bed. How had that even happened?! He'd been so damn drunk. What on earth had happened last night? He sat up suddenly at the same moment that she did, his eyes wide. The way she covered herself up with the blanket... His face went beet red at the ideas that gesture gave him. "Oh god, we didn't--did we--did we?!"


Ros was trying to get out of the bed, she knew it was silly to keep wrapped up in the blankets, she has clothes and so did he..she was just being...being stupid she guessed. Still this was not how she'd expected things to go as he was busy trying to figure out what had happened. Shaking her head she held her hands up stepping out of the bed.

"No, no we didn't do anything...we just fell asleep and I was suppose to sleep on the couch and you said no so I was waiting and..." Trailing off she sighed, "We didn't do anything. Why don't I go make breakfast?" With that she hurried out of the bedroom towards the kitchen her own blush burning her cheeks.


He sighed out his relief at hearing her answer to his not-quite-asked question, then suddenly pain seemed to explode in his head. Ugh, he'd sat up too fast. He groaned and nodded as Ros said something about breakfast and left the room, lowering his head back to the pillow and burying his face in it. He was relieved nothing had happened, yes, but there was this tiny feeling of disappointment in the back of his mind and he had no idea why. Unfortunately, his head hurt too much to think, and yet his mind was full of thoughts. The events of the day before, and that odd dream he'd had during the Halloween trip... Ugh, why was he even thinking about that? He grabbed the other pillow and put it over top of his head. It probably wasn't a good idea, he'd probably get a turtle headache, but he just wanted his brain to shut up for a minute.



x Russel's PJs x

[ROSLYN BARKER]

Once she was in the kitchen she made sure Russel wasn't coming out before she began to pace frantically...Oh god that had not been what she'd wanted...this accidental bedtime between the two of them. Last night he'd said she was a good friend and now he has almost assumed that they had...

Quickly she began to tear apart the kitchen in the neatest way possible for the things she needed to make something...anything really as she got the coffee started and began to make some toast, and then mixed up what little she could find to make the pancakes she'd promised last night if he even remembered. Once that was all started she went back into the living room, still tired, but she knew that she wanted to clean up somewhat before he was less hungover to come talk to her.

Throwing away the old sandwiches she looked at the stain on the carpet. With a sigh she went back to the kitchen and got some vinegar and dishsoap before she began to clean at the spot. When the job was done there was a smell of citrus and pickles, but there was no spot now as she got back up and made two cups of coffee as she poured the mix for the pancakes out into the frying pan before taking Russel's mug back to his room. "You awake still?"


The pillows under and over Russel's head were not helping in the way he'd thought they might, and the lack of oxygen was in fact just making his hangover worse. He still could not remember all of what had happened the night before. Why had he gone out and drunk himself silly like that? Sure, he had been upset over Jessica, but--well, of course it looked like a terrible idea in hindsight. Then another thought struck him. What had he said to Ros? Did she know the reason for him going to the pub like that? Oh, this was a nightmare.

When Ros came in and asked if he was awake, he peeked out from between the pillows, green eyes squinting at her so as not to let in too much light. He smelled coffee. "Yeah," he said quietly, every little noise resounding in his head. He pulled the pillow off his head, curls sticking every which way, and sat up on the bed, looking miserable but determined not to let it get the best of him.


Moving a little further in she set the coffee down on the bedside table before looking to meet the squinting green eyes. It took every bit of her willpower not to giggle as she started at his hair, usually he seemed so composed and now. "I came and got you last night from the pub, you had me worried." She sat on the edge of the bed, sipping from her own cup as she reached out to stroke his hair trying to smooth out the wild curls.

"We watched some Spongebob, and you threw up, and then you went to sleep. That's it." She smiled as she got up once more, "I should check on the food, do you need any aspirin or anything?"


He passed his hand over his face and took a deep breath that turned into a yawn. He felt like he'd been hit by a bus, but he hadn't felt any better lying there, so there was really no use trying to go back to sleep. He knew that from experience in college. Ah, it was nice how Ros stroked his hair, though. That made him feel marginally better.

But then she mentioned Spongebob, and he cringed. "I had you watch Spongebob?" Nobody was supposed to know about that. Sure, liking Spongebob was one thing, but having all the DVDs? Not to mention the movie, and the Spongebob boxers... But she hadn't said anything about that, thank goodness. Still, he thought people would find it childish that he liked the show so much; that was why he kept the DVDs in his room and not out with the rest of them next to the tv. He wanted to ask what else he had done that was weird, but she made to leave again, and he wanted to take his time getting up so as not to aggravate his hangover. "Nah, I can get it," he answered, going slowly to the edge of the bed and putting his feet on the floor. He was missing a sock.


"Yes, Spongebob...it was entertaining really. I've only caught a few episodes, but it was fun. Cute." She sighed as she sipped her coffee in the doorway, he waved off the aspirin and she just nodded and left.

Getting back to the kitchen she flipped the pancakes over and began to hunt down the eggs once more to make them as she cracked them into a pan. Soon the sweet smell of breakfast wafted through the apartment as she had two plates made up.


Cute, yes, that was exactly what he was afraid of. Girls didn't really go for the "cute" guys, did they? Wait, what? What did that have to do with anything? He rubbed his eyes, as if with that gesture he could dispel both his sleepiness and the confused nature of his thoughts. Where had his sock gone to, anyway? Probably lost in the covers somewhere. God, he had slept in the same bed as Ros! Hush, don't think about that. Find your slippers. Yes, there they are, next to the nightstand. Now put them on and get up.

He stood up, then realized Ros had left him a mug of coffee. He picked it up and sipped, shuffling off slowly to the bathroom for an aspirin and taking it with the coffee. Then he walked zombie-like into the living room, where the smell of breakfast cooking surprised him a little. He hadn't had a proper breakfast in this apartment since... well, since the very first day he'd slept here, when he'd wanted to make breakfast just for the homey feeling of it all. But he was never a very good cook, and it was more hassle than it was worth for some toast, bacon, and the half-burnt, half-runny scrambled eggs. This stuff, though... He sniffed the air appreciatively and leaned up against the bar with his elbows on the countertop, cradling his mug in his hands. "That smells so good."


With the plates made she deposited them on the table as she went back to the counter to refill her coffee. She nearly jumped when she heard Russel behind her talking about the smell. Turning she smiled, "Well this is your stuff...I'm sorry to waste anything of yours, but I figured you'd like something to fill your stomach after emptying it." She was trying to be nice as she sat down at the table, waiting for Russel to join her.

"Yesterday sounded like it was pretty rough when I found you. I'm glad you called though." She said, taking a bite of her eggs so that the yokes popped mixing with the sea of syrup and bacon. "I'm sorry about everything."

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

"Waste? That is no waste," he said, eyeing the food and giving her a bit of a smile, despite his headache. He hadn't realized he had the makings of a real breakfast in his apartment, honestly. Of course, now that he thought about it, yes, he probably had some pancake mix and syrup and things like that from when he'd stocked the place when he moved in. And the bacon, well, he liked bacon, even when he burnt it, so that was always in the fridge. Though the eggs might be questionable. He was down to his last few and he wasn't sure how long ago he'd bought the carton. Still, it looked good enough, and it certainly smelled delicious. He was suddenly aware that he was very hungry. He sat down on the couch next to her and stared at the food on the coffee table.

She had made him breakfast, even after witnessing him in what was likely a terrible state the night before. Had he acted like an idiot? Had he yelled? Had he cried? Had he made a pass at her? None of it was out of the question. Though it couldn't have been too bad if she was still here, right? "Don't be sorry, I'm the one who should be sorry, getting drunk off my ass like that and then calling you to come take care of me." He picked up his fork and hesitated, wondering if he should ask. "How bad was I, anyway? What all did I say? Did I do anything weird? Besides the Spongebob, anyway."


"I'm glad to hear that then." Ros felt a small blush creep on her cheeks. It was just a simple breakfast, but somehow it just felt nice having someone to cook for who liked it. She'd begun taking extra lunch to work to share with Russel, so really how was breakfast any different...though after last night and this morning's confusion....

She made room for him on the couch as she nibbled on some of her food thinking about the question Russel gave her. How to respond? Did he want to hear her tell him that he told her about his ex? About the cheating? Giving a small sigh she stopped eating and leaned back. This was a bit difficult, "You told me about Jessica, and you were really upset...I'm sorry."


He put a piece of bacon in his mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully as Ros answered. He was afraid that had been the case. He hadn't told anybody here about Jessica because, well, it just wasn't something he wanted to talk about. But when he was drunk he tended to spill his guts, or at least he had in college. He'd probably told Ros everything. He sighed and poked at his pancakes with his fork. "Sorry for unloading on you. When I get like that, I just... yeah."

Then he gave a little chuckle. "I am never going to get drunk like that again, I can tell you right now. The last time I did that was back in college, and I swore off it then. Don't know why I ever thought it would be any better of an idea this time." Then he remembered the final straw from the night before that had put him over the edge and made him go, and he looked over at the spot on the carpet where the stain had been. His eyebrows raised in surprise. "You cleaned the carpet?"


"It's okay Russel." Ros started in softly, a small frown curving her lips. "You said it last night...you consider me a friend. I would always let you unload on me if that would make things better." Leaning over to him she touched his knee, her frown fading as she smiled once more.

"I mean that is what friends are for right? If you ever get drunk again I'll always come and get you. Not like I do much on weekend night anyways. Read, make dinner...not exciting." She used her toast to sop up some of the eggs as she gave a small nod to his question, "Yeah, I did...it wasn't so old it couldn't come up. I hope you don't mind...it'll smell a little weird till you vacuum."


He'd said that? Well, it was true. He looked up at her and smiled. She was always so nice to him, and to everyone else. It was like she was too good to be true. None of his old friends had ever helped him out like this... probably because they were guys, but anyway, he still appreciated it immensely. His head was already beginning to feel better. "Maybe I should get drunk more often," he joked with a little laugh.

"Oh no, I don't mind! In fact, I'm extremely grateful. I scrubbed at that thing for hours and it still didn't go away. How did you do it?" he asked. He began to shovel food into his mouth in earnest, now that he knew his stomach wasn't going to rebel against it.


Ros gave a small laugh as Russel joked gently with her. "You can, but unless you want me to see you throw up over and over again I suggest against it. Maybe next time just call me and we can get a drink or some dinner...better I think." Finishing up her coffee she set her mug to the side, she wanted more, but she knew it would be better to eat a little more first before filling up on the coffee.

"Oh, that? Vinegar...the housekeepers taught me a lot when I was younger. I think they knew what was going to happen before even I did." She smiled, they had been nice women, and she really did think they knew she'd make a run at some point.


"Oh yeah, good point," he said with a chuckle. "Dinner, that sounds good." He ducked his head and took another bite of breakfast to hide the blush that rose to his cheeks at realizing how much like a date that idea sounded. She hadn't meant it like that. At least, he didn't think she did. Why was he even analyzing that? He was just over-thinking, and it just made his head hurt, so he stopped, concentrating on eating.

Vinegar, huh? He would have never thought of that. He hadn't even realized he still had some in the cabinet, though it made sense. It wasn't like he used it for anything, but he'd just bought it automatically when he moved in. Something that Ros said tickled his curiosity and he paused in his eating, food in his mouth as he asked, "Knew what? What happened?"

[ROSLYN BARKER]

Picking at her food now she slowly set her plate aside. As hungry as she was when Russel asked about the last thing she'd said she suddenly was ready for that coffee....

Getting up she went to the kitchen with her mug, "Well it's hard to explain...but I didn't leave home on the best terms." One really couldn't just blurt out they left without word home at all and that it had been nearly half a year since she'd seen her father let alone talked with him. "Do you want more of anything Russel?" She asked, hoping to distract a little, it would do no good for her to just unload all her issues on him...he didn't deserve that after all he'd been through, she thought.


He was already halfway through his breakfast when she got up and went into the kitchen. His headache was feeling considerably better now that he had food in his stomach. He could actually stop squinting now. He drank a bit of his coffee while Ros spoke, watching her in the kitchen. He raised an eyebrow. That wasn't much of an explanation. She'd mentioned it before, though, hadn't she? He'd dropped the subject then, but his curiosity got the best of him now. "No, I'm still working on this plate, actually," he said, taking a bite of pancake to punctuate that statement. "So, what, you ran away or something?"


"Ah..." She nearly dropped the coffee pot when Russel hit the nail on the head. Quick, but stupid thinking made her grab it with the other hand to steady herself as the glass burned her bit. She hissed softly putting the pot back after getting her coffee before going to the sink as she turned on the water.

"I...I guess you could say that is the situation." She grimaced a little before turning off the water and looking back into the living room, "It's not really light conversation." She laughed, "Lets leave it at it being complicated, I'd rather not ruin the morning."


He saw her nearly drop the coffee pot from where he was sitting, and he realized maybe he shouldn't have said anything after all. He didn't want her to hurt herself. "Ah, okay," he said sheepishly. "Are you all right?" He was nearly finished eating now, just mopping up what was left of the egg and syrup with his toast, leaving the plate almost clean.


"I'm fine...just...even when you're hungover you're very intuitive." Ros replied returning to the living room before sitting down next to him once more, "I'm sorry...give me a little more time. Maybe if we get that dinner and drink I can work it up to tell you everything. I mean...friends right?" She leaned back against him a little. "Looks like we both have some things to deal with...birds of a feather flock together."

Looking over at his plate she sipped her coffee and laughed, "You were hungry. That's good, did it taste okay? If you give me your dish I'll clean up my mess alright?"


He didn't really think of himself as intuitive; he just stumbled upon things he probably shouldn't, sometimes. Like with Cage's mother. And like this, it was usually awkward. He nodded at her mention of dinner again, then smiled. "Right, friends. Sounds like a--like fun." Ack, he'd been about to say 'like a date' automatically, but he'd recovered the sentence. And fortunately she mentioned his plate before he could think much about it. "Yeah, guess I was," he said with a laugh. "That was great!" He grinned and handed her his plate. "Thanks, Ros. For everything. I don't know how I acted last night, but I know I can be kind of a pain to deal with sometimes."


Taking his plate Ros went to the kitchen and began to clean up her mess...the pots and griddle going in with the plates into the side of the sink she'd filled with hot water and soap. The cleaning wouldn't take to long, she had made worse messes at her own apartment, but she would have felt guilty for leaving it for Russel.

"Don't mention it. You were for lack of a better word 'silly'. Nothing bad....I had a nice time talking with you. Never think of yourself as a pain."


He stretched, taking a deep breath and enjoying the feeling of a full stomach. He felt much better now. The headache was still there right between his eyes, but the pain was ignorable at this point. He smiled to himself at her words. "Well, I just... meh..." He'd been about to talk about his ex again, since Ros probably knew most of the details anyway, but he decided against it. Like she'd said, it wasn't exactly breakfast conversation. He got up with his mug of coffee and meandered into the kitchen. "Aw, you're doing the dishes now, too? No no, come on, I can do that. You've done enough already," he said, setting down his mug and attempting, with a grin, to shove her gently to the side so he could get at the sink instead.


"Of course I am this is my mess..." She started before she was nudged off to the side. A small playful pout ghosted across her lips as she sighed and scratched her head with wet hand, "Fine...they are yours. I will go make sure I didn't miss something." She joked playfully as she went back into the living room and began to pick up the DVDs.

They'd been in his room so she padded back down the hall towards his room before setting them on his dresser. Before she could leave though a little item caught her eye. "Hey...that's my..." Picking up the headband she looked at it. She'd thought she'd lost it at Halloween. How did Russel get it? She stood there staring at it for a bit before she began to piece it all together. Of course he'd had it, he'd taken it out of her hair because he'd taken her back to her hotel room. At the dance they'd been dancing and he'd told her to go to bed....and the elevator ride up...no...

Shaking her head her grip grew tighter. Before they'd left the dance they'd met up and danced and...she...she had...

"Oh god." She murmured, nearly breaking the headband in her grip. They'd kissed...he'd taken the headband off because his fingers had been running through her hair. In the middle of the dance she'd done that. Then in the elevator...and then she'd taken him to her room. Oh god...ohgodohgodohgod! How had he not told her about that?

God she'd been such a fool and then he had witnessed all of it and still he'd called her a good friend. A blush burned at her cheeks as she took the headband and started down the hall gathering her jacket up as she searched for her shoes frantically.

[RUSSEL CONNOR]

Russel continued where Ros had left off, scrubbing away contentedly. If he didn't have a headache still he would have hummed to himself. Despite the events of the night before, Ros was still being nice to him, so he didn't think he should worry too much about it. Of course, it made him feel a little awkward knowing that he'd told her about Jessica, but it would have come out sooner or later. And now that this whole thing with his ex had blown over, he felt strangely free, like a burden had been lifted. Probably what psychologists would call closure, he thought with a smirk. Well, now he could move on with his life.

It didn't take long to wash the dishes since there weren't that many of them, and he was just setting them on a towel to dry when he heard stirring in the living room behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Ros holding her jacket and peering around the room. "What're you doing?" he asked, finishing up with the dishes before he dried off his hands and came into the living room, leaning his back against the kitchen bar. He frowned a little, realizing she seemed to be getting her stuff ready to go. "You're not leaving yet, are you?"


"Oh!" Ros nearly bolted up in her posture as she looked at Russel quickly hiding the headband under her jacket as she still moved around looking for her shoes. Her voice when she spoke shot up to an octave a little alien to her, "I hate to eat and run, but I really should be leaving." She started as she glanced at Russel only to draw her gaze to the floor. How stupid had it been to kiss him? No doubt he thought she was crazy now.

"I really hate to leave, but I have work to do...and..." Her voice failed her as she found her shoes, shoving her feet into them. "Thank you for everything, you've been great." Pulling her jacket on she started for the door.


Russel frowned, his disappointment plain, but then he told himself to stop acting like a spoiled child and set his jaw. If she had to go, she had to go. Something was off, but he didn't know what, and he didn't know how to ask her about it. Maybe he really had done something weird last night and she just hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of it? "Um, okay. Yeah, I guess I should, I dunno..." He really didn't know what he'd do. She'd just done everything for him. "Ah, no problem," he said, opening the door for her. Why was she thanking him? Well, he didn't question it. "I guess I'll uh, call you about that dinner some time then." Wow, this just got worse and worse, but what could he do about it?


When he got close she could feel her body tense. God how much had they done that he didn't tell her about? She wanted to be mad, but all she could feel was embarrassed and nervous having him so close. He talked about calling her. That was right, she told him they could get dinner. "No worries or rush. Take your time." She blurted out, blushing darkly as she got outside, "I'll see you at school, okay?"


Russel noticed she seemed tense and it frustrated him that he didn't know why, but he wasn't entirely sure that he even wanted to know the reason. And maybe he was just over-thinking again and she really did just have to go do something. He gave a little wave as she went out the door. "Okay, see ya," he said in a small voice, and closed the door slowly. He turned and leaned up against the door, looking around at his clean, empty apartment that smelled of bacon and pancakes and vinegar, and sighed. Why did he feel so disappointed?